Lots of angst in this chapter. Some of the dialogue in the exchanges between Thranduil and Alasse I used from Arrow, one of the scenes with Quentin and Laurel.

I am planning for the next chapter to be much happier! Then the one following that is supposed to be when Alasse meets Bard the bowman! Can't wait to post that one! Been working on for a while.

It was mid-morning at the Woodland palace, but the overcast sky only mimicked the great worry that hovered over King Thranduil's home. Once again, Legolas had endured another restless night, and Thranduil refused to admit it, but he himself was spent beyond emotional and physical exhaustion. Every time Legolas was endlessly tormented with a coughing fit, throwing up, or seizing, the Elvin king's heart quivered and felt so sick. After the latest bout, Legolas passed out and he had not awakened to anything since and his skin tone hard returned to the sickly green complexion. Thranduil hated watching his son suffer so much. His heavy heart told him that the end very well could be drawing near for Legolas.

A loud rapping on the door startled the melancholic aura of the sick room. Poor Malfortion, overwrought having done everything possible to care for his patient to make him better, wearily answered the door. "The prince is not allowed to have visitors." He groaned.

"Nay, Master Malfortion!" One of the guards declared happily. "Good news, Sire! We spotted Lord Elrond the healer from Rivendell within our borders!" He announced. "He should be on the threshold of the gate any moment now, my lord!" Gandalf stood up.

Thranduil instantly rose from his seat, stunned. "Are you sure?" He asked, afraid to hope it was true.

"Ai, Sire! He is approaching quickly!"

"And...and my daughter?" Thranduil gulped. Please let her be with him, unharmed!

"Yes, my king. I saw her. She is with Lord Elrond and his son. She appears very well."

"Thank the Valar." Thranduil breathed. He looked to Gandalf who smiled encouragingly. "Bring the healer here to Legolas's room as soon as he enters the castle. Do not detain him!" The guard bowed and darted off. Thranduil glanced at Malfortion. "You have done all you can. Do not think your efforts go unnoticed. But now take a respite, and let other hands step in to help." He told the worn healer.

"I will, my lord." Malfortion smiled wearily. "I only pray that Lord Elrond can heal the prince, where I failed to do so."

"You are not a failure, my good friend." Gandalf assured Malfortion. "Tis the mysterious, dark Shadow hovering over the wood, that is drawing the life from the outdoor creatures that limited your otherwise naturally healing resources. Now go to bed." Gandalf commanded him.

Elrond stood in the doorway. "My lord Thranduil," he bowed with his fist over his chest. "I came as soon as I was summoned."

"Elrond." Thranduil sighed happily with the same gesture. "Words cannot describe how greatly relieved I am to see you! Please, do what you can for my son."

"I will do my best, Mellon." Elrond nodded and made his way over to the sickbed. He removed his riding gloves, handing them to Elrohir.

"How is he?" Alasse spoke anxiously as she appeared in the doorway. Thranduil's eyes lit up. She was alive, she was home, and she was safe! He stiffened in anger when he saw the fading bruise on her face, but he could get to the bottom of that later. He rushed over and took her in his arms.

"My child, you're safe." He whispered. Alasse breathed deeply, letting her father's strong presence fill her with warmth and protection. She hadn't realized until now just how much she had missed him, or how much safer she felt now that she was home again. "Don't ever leave me again!" Thranduil told her.

"Father..." She tried to speak.

"Are you all right?" Thranduil asked when he finally broke away.

"Yes." Alasse nodded. "I'm all right, Adar. I'm glad to be home!"

"At the moment, I am too relieved to be angry with you." Thranduil swallowed. Alasse nodded.

Then she had a good look at Legolas. He looked worse, much worse than before she'd left, and he looked as if he almost wasn't even breathing! "Legolas...is he..." Gandalf looked at her sadly and came to her side."Gandalf?!" She whispered and hugged him hard.

Everyone quieted down as Elrond examined his listless patient. He hovered over Legolas, feeling his forehead and he frowned deeply. "Legolas Greenleaf, can you hear my voice?" He whispered. Legolas's eyes were closed. He didn't stir, didn't grunt, or anything. "How long has he been comatosed?" Elrond asked.

"Since before dawn." Malfortion said defeatedly.

"He doesn't respond to anything." Gandalf shook his head. Elrond opened up Legolas's nightshirt, exposing his breast. Elrond stooped over, and placed his hand on the prince's bare chest. He felt and listened hard to Legolas's heartbeat. No one said anything, watching the elder healer work his best.

"His heartbeat is shallow, very shallow." He said gravely. "Elrohir, remove the bandages from his arm so I can examine his wounds." His son obeyed and Elrond carefully inspected the large spider bites. They were trying to scab over but continued leaking blood and pus. A loud, defeated sigh escaped the great healer's throat. "We must get to work at once! Legolas doesn't have much time." Elrond declared. Thranduil's breath hitched and Alasse was barely able to brace herself from falling, by leaning up against his sturdy form."We need lots of bandages, rags, herbs, iodine, salve, whatever you've got! And boiling water." He demanded. The servants standing in the doorway looked to their king who quickly nodded his consent and they ran to gather the items."I'm going to have to open up these bites all the way and drain them completely of the poison before cleansing them."

"I pray you brought the antidote!" Malfortion cried.

"Ai. It is here. But we must work fast." Elrond said firmly.

"What do you need me to do?" Gandalf asked, quickly making his way over. Elrond glanced at him questioningly.

"I'll need you to help keep him steady and see that he does not wake until this procedure is over. The suffering he would be put through should he come to will be great indeed." He told his friend. "Use whatever magic spell or charm necessary. We can't afford to botch this!" Gandalf nodded. Elrond turned to Thranduil. "My friend, if you can bear to endure it, I will need you to stay closely near him, and keep him calm. Speak to him quietly, hold his hand."

"I will do anything!" Thranduil gulped and strode over beside the bed. Elrohir began unpacking Elrond's medical satchel, pulling out whatever supplies he knew they would need.

As more servants appeared, nobody noticed Alasse. She was frozen to the spot, mortified at the sight of her brother looking no more alive than the fallen leaves in the forest. She turned sharply on her heel and fled. She nearly collided into Tauriel and Feren. "Tauriel!" She sputtered. "Sorry. So sorry." She backed away.

"Alasse," Tauriel smiled widely. "Mui Mellon, you're here! When did you return to us?"

"Just now."

"I'm certain your father was overjoyed to see you!" Feren smiled with relief.

"Ai." Alasse nodded then made her way down the twisting hall.

"My lady? Where are you going?" Feren furrowed his brows with concern.

"I have something I have to do!" Alasse answered sharply.

Even though it was still morning going on noon, the once gorgeous green forest was a dull, dark brown and black. No cheerful birds sang in the trees, not even to greet the return of their princess. It was deadly quiet. Alasse ever so quietly marched into the middle of the forest, intently listening and observing through her Elvin gifts of exceptional hearing and eyesight. Nothing moved and nothing spoke. Alasse slowly, deliberately, angrily stepped around, peeling her eyes for signs of the enemy. "Come on. Show yourself." Alasse snarled under her breath. I know you're here. And you are going to pay dearly, for what you did to Legolas!"

Then she heard it! The faint click-click-click of large, un-Elvin legs. Alasse carefully glanced around till she saw a large spider up above in one of the trees. Her usually bright eyes darkened to malice, her blood vessels began to burn, and she stealthily pulled out her sword. She stood in the middle of the shadowed clearing out from under the protection of the trees, so the vile creature would see her in plain sight. "Get down here." She hissed. "Let's finish this now!"

The spider disappeared, only to reappear moments later through the thicket. It came straight toward her, which was what she wanted. Alasse was livid. She and Legolas had lost their mother before her time. Legolas was her hero, and her constant companion, and her best friend in the world. He could be annoying and bossy, but he would anything for her. And he always did it out of love. How dare these deadly, over-sized monsters strike her brother and make him suffer horrendously before their venom zapped away his very life! Alasse grinned darkly as the spider came nearer. "Hello, beastie." She slurred in a whisper, then sprang up and ran her blade straight through its eyes at it attempted to pounce upon her. The beast screeched and the Elvin princess stabbed it again. It fell to the ground, dead.

A rustling started on the other side of the thicket, and Alasse knew that more spiders were coming. She braced herself, with her trusty sword and waited. One by one, they came, and one by one, she furiously slew them in a murderous rage. But, just when she thought that she'd triumphantly defeated them all, something grabbed her by the leg and dragged her from behind!

She dropped her sword and turned on her side and looked up in horror to see a giant spider tugging on her leg, intending to make her his lunch. She screeched and flailed. Till...a swift arrow struck the beast right between the eyes. Alasse looked up to see who her rescuer was. Tauriel and Feren were twisting and jumping around in the trees, shooting the rest of the spiders. Alasse glared at the one that had tried to eat her. Something inside her just snapped. The spider was already dead, but she picked up her sword and started viciously stabbing the fallen creature's head, yelling wildly as she did.

"Dar! Farn! (Stop! Enough)!" She heard Feren and Tauriel shouting at her from behind but she tuned them out and did not stop her rampage. "Ho's alreadui firn. (He's already dead)." Tauriel tried to bring the princess back to reason.

Feren firmly grabbed Alasse's arm from behind and held her fast. Im said, dar! I's farn. (I said, stop! That's enough)." Feren whispered in her ear. Alasse's body shook as she panted heavily. Feren slowly took her sword. She just stood there, dazed, angry, and trembling. Feren and Tauriel exchanged worried glances. In all their centuries alive, they had never seen their princess so enraged, and out of control! It was greatly alarming, to say the least! She was usually very bubbly, and cheerful, and was very tender-hearted when it came to dead animals and creatures, even if they had been vile. To see her like this...

If Legolas was conscious, he would be very embarrassed at all the urgent attention he was getting, were he awake to see all the people hovering over him. Elrond had feverishly worked on the bites, until he was sure that he'd drained them of every last drop of poison. He'd barely stopped to take a breath, before he immediately set to cleansing the wounds. Everyone gratefully thanked the Valar that Legolas was deeply unconscious through all of this drastic procedure, for it would have been excruciatingly hurtful to go through. Gandalf continued to whisper sleeping spells over the invalid elf, though it was not really necessary. But the wizard did it as a precaution, in case Legolas suddenly did regain consciousness on them! Thranduil had not moved from Legolas's side, faithfully gripping his hand of his uninjured arm. He prayed every breathing second that Elrond would be able to heal his son.

"Tul- back na I galad...Tul- back na I galad...(Come back to the light...come back to the light...)" Tauriel gently chanted close to her friend's side. The soft words penetrated sharply through Alasse's angered mind. Her body jolted, her vision was no longer hazy, and she dropped to her knees.

"My lady? Are you ill?" Feren asked quickly, kneeling at her side. Alasse shook her head, blinking. She glanced questioningly at him then at Tauriel.

"Tauriel?" She whimpered.

"Yes?" Tauriel asked.

"What have I done?!" Alasse cried. She saw the dead spider's shredded head, and saw the blood spilled out on the ground. Tauriel knelt next to her and placed her arm around her.

"You came back, Mellon." She said with relief, stroking her face.

"You really had me scared there for a moment, Your Highness!" Feren gasped with a chuckle. Alasse trembled with tears.

"Ennas na- a sinister airs in hi near...Im tur- feel ha (There is a sinister aura in this place...I can feel it)." Alasse whispered. "I thought I could drive it out, forever, if..." Her voice faltered.

"Are cin all foeir (Are you all right)?" Feren asked her.

"Dihen -nin, mui Mellons! Oh, please dihen -nin! (Forgive me, my friends! Oh, please forgive me)!" Alasse wept with her head in her hands. She couldn't believe how recklessly she'd been bent on destruction. It frightened her.

"Come. Let's get you back to your father." Tauriel said sweetly. "He'll be terribly worried if he finds you gone."

"Again." Feren threw in.

Thranduil finally breathed again. His form trembled, overcome with joy. He inhaled deeply of the air in the room, filling his own lungs with the glad tidings he'd been praying to hear! He sat on Legolas's bed, hovering over him, cradling Legolas's head in his lap and gently stroking his face. Tears ran down the king's face and dripped onto his son. Thranduil quickly brushed them off of Legolas's cheeks. He kissed his head hard. Legolas was going to live! He was still very, very weak and would be bedridden for several days to regain his strength. But the worst was all behind them now!

Alasse was escorted back to the palace under the watchful eyes of her faithful friends. She'd begged Feren to carry her sword, afraid of what she might do with it if she sheathed it back. She kept apologizing over and over to them for losing control. They assured her that she was forgiven, and glad she'd returned to the light. They were trying their best to calm her before they reached the castle, so it would not worry Thranduil on top of everything else. Gandalf and Elrond were speaking in the front hall. Alasse trudged inside, not facing anyone.

She hardly paid them any mind as she slowly headed for the stairs. Elrond and Gandalf saw her and Gandalf smiled. "Ahh, the wandering sparrow has found her way home, and returned." He said fondly.

Thranduil-reluctantly pulled himself from Legolas's bedside-gaped in both astonishment and relief from his perch on the upper level. "Alasse!" He gasped, coming down to her. "Where in Middle-Earth were you?!" He demanded. "I was just about to send patrols out to find you, worried to death that something had happened to you!"

"I'm sorry." Alasse said dryly, hanging her head.

"Meld iel-," He gripped her tightly by her upper arms, "Do not ever do something foolish like that again!" Thranduil said firmly. "Oh." He noticed a scrape on her face to go with her bruise.

"It'll go away." Alasse huffed.

"You're not hurt, my love?" Thranduil asked in a gentler tone, concerned.

"No." Alasse mumbled, glaring. "Not much. Nothing that won't mend fast."

"You have not answered my question. Where were you?"

"Some unfinished business." Alasse answered unhappily. "But it's done with. For now." She groaned. But it'll never be enough!

"Alasse, you're weary. You need rest, iel-." Her father said seriously.

"I'll be all right." She whispered.

"Alasse," Lord Elrond spoke firmly, "your father is right. You are overwrought, child. You'll make yourself ill if you don't take a break. Go rest." Alasse nodded silently as she walked away, ignoring the both of them.

"Alasse, your brother lives!" Thranduil told her. She stopped dead in her tracks. "He is cured."

"He is going to be fine." Gandalf added cheerfully.

Alasse's eyes lit up, her heart lept with joy. Legolas was alive? He was going to live on? She raced up to his room. She flung the door open, but caught it before it could bang into anything. Legolas lay in his bed sleeping. He was still horribly pale, and looked languid like she'd never seen before in her young elleth life, but he was breathing and she saw his arm move! His right arm moved from the edge of the bed, across his side. Alasse cried happily and sank to the floor. Her brother hadn't left her, like her mother did! He was still here! Her best friend was alive!

Alasse stumbled to the bed, blurry tears of pure happiness clouding her vision. She crouched down on the bed and gripped Legolas's shoulder, resting her head closely to it. "Thank you, gwanur. Thank you for coming back to us.." She whispered.

Tauriel and Feren had entered after Alasse ran to see Legolas. They were informed of the good news and could not be happier. They merely told Thranduil that they had found Alasse in a state of hysterics and brought her home. He was very grateful. He was so happy, which was incredibly rare to see, to have both of his children safe that they didn't have the heart to tell him what they'd witnessed out in the forest. They decided to hold off. Perhaps they could discuss it with Lord Elrond, and he could advise them on how to help the princess.

Thranduil hurried back to his son's bed chamber to sit with him. He stopped short when he saw the sight before him. Alasse was lying on the bed next to Legolas, asleep, just like when they were little elflings and he'd comfort her after a bad dream. Thranduil sighed contentedly with proud tears. The passed week had been hell on Middle-Earth for him and now the sun was beginning to shine on them again it seemed!

Elrond had his son carry Alasse to her room, and Gandalf offered to sit with her so Thranduil could be with his son. Tauriel and Feren briefly looked in on Legolas. He still looked awfully sickly, but in small ways he was definitely beginning to look better! Normally, elves would sleep with their eyes open, but not today. "The child's exhausted. Let her rest." Elrond said after Elrohir had placed her on the bed.

"Will she be all right?" Tauriel asked with concern.

"Oh, yes. Just lots of sleep." Elrond nodded. "And I'm going to see if I can coerce the king to do the same, without him severing my head from my neck!"

"My lord?" Feren began slowly. "I hate to shed a shroud on the day when we should be rejoicing for Prince Legolas's recovery, but there is something we must discuss with you."

"Oh?" Elrond arched his eyebrows.

"We felt it best to come to you first for consultation, and not King Thranduil when such a heavy weight has just been lifted off his shoulders." Tauriel mentioned. They both filled Elrond in on the incident in the forest.

"That forest is dreadfully sick." Gandalf said. "This hovering Shadow of despair and darkness there is finally beginning to take hold of its guardians."

"Ai, Mellon." Elrond nodded solemnly. "I find it hard to picture Thranduil's bright daughter becoming so dark-hearted even in a moment of weakness. But I do not disbelieve you. As to whether to expect this again, I cannot say. It is too early to tell right now. I shall not search her mind at the moment. The family needs a good, solid rest. However, I shall remain on hand in case anything unexpected or drastic happens. But thank you both for informing me." Tauriel and Feren bowed and left.

"I will stay with her, my friend. You look as if you could use a break yourself." Gandalf said.

"Unlike some rock-headed elves from the Woodland Realm, I know when I have reached my breaking point." Elrond squinted playfully. Then he left to look in again on Legolas.

That night, Legolas had a solid, peaceful sleep, the first in nearly a week! Even though he knew Legolas was going to get better, Thranduil still would not leave him and did not sleep. The only time Thranduil left his room at all, was to see Alasse. In her bed chamber, he found her dozing, while Gandalf sat in a chair near the bed, reading books and smoking his pipe that he knew the king disliked. Thranduil was irritated about the smoking, but decided to let it go this time. He was just glad that Gandalf was not doing it in Legolas's room!

It wasn't until mid-morning of the next day when Legolas began to regain consciousness. Elrond had just stepped in to check up on him when the prince stirred. "Uhhh..." He slurred groggily.

"Legolas?" Thranduil smiled hopefully, touching his son's arm.

"Hmm?" Legolas grunted, fighting to open his eyes. He slightly opened one and glanced around. "Adar? W-where am I?" He asked quietly.

"You're at home, in bed." Thranduil answered. Legolas looked around in confusion.

"What am I doing in bed?" He frowned.

"Do you not recall?"

"No, I do not. Why am I flat on my back? And...why does my arm hurt?"

"You've been playing cat and mouse with death, penneth." Elrond spoke up, standing over the young elf with his arms crossed.

"What?" Legolas blinked.

"You were poisoned, bitten by a spider in the wood. You've been very ill, for nearly a week. One more day, and you wouldn't be with us now." Elrond explained.

"Spider..." Legolas scrunched his face in concentration, trying to remember. Then his eyes popped open and he actually tried to sit up and get out of bed!

"Legolas!" Thranduil gasped.

"Just where do you think you are going?" Elrond scolded, pushing him back down into the pillows.

"Father, the spiders...Alasse...she..." Legolas rambled.

"Easy there, penneth. Calm yourself. Your sister is home and perfectly safe." Elrond told him. Legolas looked up at him questioningly. Thranduil nodded. Legolas breathed in relief and let the healer set him back down.

"I want to see her." Legolas whined.

"Well, she is rather indisposed at the moment." Elrond smiled. "She is resting under the watchful eyes of Gandalf."

"Gandalf?" Legolas sputtered. Then he tried to stretch but his limbs felt stiff and his left arm throbbed.

"How do you feel, son?" Thranduil asked.

"Mollycoddled, that's what." Legolas muttered. Both elder elves grinned at each other knowingly. "And famished! I am quite hungry."

"Hungry? Well, that's a good sign." Elrond grinned.

When Elrond had finished giving Legolas a checkup and he'd finished his light breakfast, Legolas was left alone with his father. "You haven't slept at all." Legolas pointed out.

"It does not matter." Thranduil shook his head. "I...I was so afraid I was going to lose you, Legolas. I know, I haven't said everything that I should to you. I find it hard to speak about such deep matters. But, I'd be broken if I lost you to death's hand. Do you understand?"

Legolas gulped sadly and nodded. He reached out for his father's hand and Thranduil took it. Legolas wearily lay his head to the side. He hated to say it, but he was tired. "And I want to thank you, son. For saving my daughter's life." Thranduil said quietly.

Morning sun rays danced through the windows onto the floor of Alasse's room. Her body could feel the comforting warmth streaming in. She sighed in her sleep."Not today, Elladan…" she murmured, then turned on her side, burying her nose deeply into the pillow. "Can you sharpen my sword...I'd rather eat..." Her voice became muffled, as she began to doze again. A chuckle nearby filled the room. Alasse yawned and stretched with her eyes closed.

"Welcome back, dilthen sister." Legolas smiled.

She was wide awake now! Her eyes popped open. "Legolas?!" Alasse gasped, bolting upright in the bed. "What are you doing here?! You should be in bed, you revolting elf!"

"What am I doing here? I was watching you, and keeping an eye on you." Legolas smirked. He was sitting comfortably in an armchair beside the bed, propped up with pillows. "And you're one to talk! Berating me for not staying in bed like an invalid, while you run off into the wild, on your own, to summon the most fierce-some healer that ever walked Middle-Earth! You're the revolting one."

"I am not!" Alasse growled playfully.

"Ha!" Legolas grinned cockily when he knew he had her backed up in a corner. She inched toward the edge of the bed.

"Legolas, are you really all right?" Alasse asked seriously. He was still pale, but no longer that horrid green! And he looked a little stronger.

"I'm here, am I not?" Legolas shrugged.

"You almost died! You really should be in bed." She shook her head.

"I think you should both be in bed." Lord Elrond remarked as he, Gandalf, and Thranduil appeared.

Alasse pursed her lips at Legolas. "Who allowed you in here? It certainly wasn't Adar!" She stood over Legolas.

"Are you threatening me, sister?" Legolas retorted in mock fear, ignoring the visitors in the room. "I'm afraid you're out of luck if you mean me physical harm. I'm a very sick elf, you know." Legolas squinted triumphantly. Alasse laughed in spite of herself and threw her arms around him. Then, breaking away, she slapped him hard across the shoulder. "Ow. Hey, what was that for?" He frowned.

"Why didn't you tell me that you were better? Why didn't someone wake me up?" Alasse growled at him. Before he could answer, he grabbed him again in a tight hug. She squeezed him hard. "I'm so glad you're all right!" She told him in a much sweeter tone of voice. Legolas looked adorably bewildered and glanced up helplessly at the three elders, hoping they would save him before Alasse strangled him to death with her sisterly affection. Thranduil, Gandalf, and Elrond could not help laughing.

"We did not wake you, Alasse, because you really needed the rest." Elrond said with his arms folded.

"That is a poor excuse." Alasse retorted.

"You've slept for two days straight!" Gandalf added.

"What?" Alasse gaped.

"iel-, you were exhausted." Thranduil said. "You could've made yourself very ill."

"With Legolas on the mend? Not a chance! He'd never let me hear the end of it, once he bragged about how many shots he got in while I wasn't there to compete with him!" Alasse looked at Legolas.

"And I would've too. You know it." He rubbed it in.

"I'm beginning to hardly remember that you were sick at all." Alasse teased. "With your attitude, how were you ever off your feet?" Thranduil smiled proudly. His grown children's childish bickering was pure music to his ears. Legolas was still weak, and had a long road to recovery ahead of him, but he was alive. And Alasse was safe.

"All right, that is enough, children." Elrond declared. "I'm inclined to confine you both in here, but with the lethal exchange I've just witnessed, I fear for Legolas's health!" He said playfully. "You've both been through quite an ordeal and need quiet. And Legolas must not get too tired."

"I will have someone help you back to your room in a while." Thranduil said.

"Oh, perfect." Legolas pouted, fighting back a yawn. "That way everyone in the castle will see me, and how helpless I look!"

"And you, are confined to your room for the remainder of the day." Thranduil said firmly to Alasse. "Healer's orders, and there will be no negotiating." Alasse sighed. She had a strong feeling that it was her father who had really decided this, that he was just using Elrond's medical profession as leverage against argument. And Elrond would no doubt back him up.

"That is right." Elrond agreed. Alasse said nothing but looked away as they left.

"I was really scared that you were going to die." She said sadly to Legolas.

"I know." He nodded sympathetically. "Lord Elrond told me what you did, riding all the way to Rivendell! Meld, that was very dangerous!"

"Legolas, you were dying! And no one could save you here." Tears filled her eyes. "And it was my fault."

"What? What do you mean?"

"You wouldn't have been sick in the first place, if you hadn't been trying to save me. I'm sorry, gwanur! I'm so sorry." She cried.

"Come here." Legolas said gently. Alasse sat on the arm of the chair, shedding tears. "Listen to me. It was not your fault. Every one of our patrol missions is potentially dangerous and we still go in despite the peril. This was one of those times when the peril made itself real. And I would've done the same thing you did, if I'd been in your shoes."

"I know you would've!" Alasse sniffled.

"So...no more guilt, all right?" Legolas smiled.

"I'll try." Alasse nodded. "I'm glad you're still here."

"And I'm glad that you're safe!"

Legolas was soon taken back to his room. Gandalf knocked on Alasse's door. "Come in." She said. The jovial wizard stepped in. "Mithrandir." Alasse's face lit up. "Thank you for coming!"

"I am glad if I was able to make fervent use of my visit here." Gandalf smiled warmly.

"Oh, you did!"

"I am sorry, dear child. But I'm afraid I must take leave of you."

"Oh no. Really? Do you have to go now?" Alasse's face fell.

"Ahh, yes. There is still a great many deeds laid out before me that I must do. And people to find to join me."

"You mean get dragged in to join you." Alasse teased.

"Well..." Gandalf shrugged. Alasse ran up to him and hugged him.

"I'll miss you, Gandalf. It's always good to see you, Mellon." She teared up.

"Aye." Gandalf nodded, returning the embrace.

"You will come back, some time on your travels, right?" She asked hopefully.

"Of course, dear girl." He heartily gripped her hand. He kissed the top of her head. "Well, I'm off then."

"Goodbye, Gandalf. Be safe." She smiled sadly and watched out the window as he departed till he was no longer in sight.

Alasse was sitting on her bed, contemplating all that happened in the passed week. Thranduil did not knock but walked right in. Alasse sighed and stared at the floor as he approached. She did not need to look at him to know he was coldly standing there with his proud head held high, expecting an explanation. She could feel it in the air. I should've known better. She silently scolded herself. If she had thought that the glad tidings of Legolas healing would persuade her father to let her off the hook so easily for wandering off-twice-the way she had, she was sorely mistaken! She could feel his razor blue eyes penetrating right into her. Unable to bear the deafening silence any longer, she spoke up first."This wasn't really Lord Elrond's order, was it?" Alasse asked.

"Not entirely. But he was greatly in favor it." Thranduil replied.

"I had a feeling." Alasse fidgeted.

"We need to talk." Thranduil said dryly, pulling one of her armchairs up to sit in it.

Oh, here it comes. Alasse thought. I suppose I did have this coming though.

"What the h- were you thinking, going out there alone? That was reckless!" Thranduil scolded sharply.

"I had a burden to bear. It was mine alone to endure. I had to make it right." She hung her head.

"By traveling all the way to Rivendell, unescorted?" Thranduil sputtered, in dismay merging with anger.

"I was afraid! For Legolas. I...I had to do it." Alasse pursed her lips, not meeting her father's eyes.

"And the spider incident in the wood?" Thranduil asked. She looked up at him. "Ai. Lord Elrond told me what Feren and Tauriel had passed on to him. They said you were out of control. I cannot believe that. You once felt pity for a dead viper when you saw him lying there motionless. But this?"

Alasse swallowed painfully and stared down at her hands. "There was something I needed to work out." She began. "I know that there is a sickening evil in this Wood, sucking the life out of every beautiful and living thing, including the people who live in it, who unjustly suffer terribly when that Evil strikes. Just once, I wanted-I had to give it a taste of its own medicine!"

Thranduil glared, his whirling emotions conflicting with each other. "Alasse," he spoke in his most serious tone, "you're not your brother. He is a fierce fighter. But you are my daughter! The only one I have. You were not meant to go to war, to take on the burdensome scars of battle. I won't see you come to a grievous end, like your mother did. When you go out and do dangerous things, like a soldier, it burdens me because you are out of my sight and I do not ever know if you will return to me, alive! I couldn't bear to lose you!

'You're so like your mother, you and Legolas both. You have her beauty, and her meek strength. If that light should ever abandon me, I...cannot bear to imagine it.'" Thranduil choked. "iel-, promise me that you will never do something so foolish again! Ever!"

Alasse remained sullen. She couldn't promise that! She silently got up from the bed, knelt next to him, and just leaned her head on his breast, like when she was a small elleth. "I promise...to be more careful from now on." She whispered.

Thranduil winced. He could not speak. He just kissed her head. They sat there like that for a while, till he finally spoke up. "How did you make it all the way to Rivendell, alone?"

"I wasn't always alone, Father." Alasse sat back and faced him. "A ranger from the North came along and kept me safe."

"A ranger?" Thranduil looked at her, wide-eyed. "Who was he? Did you get his name?"

"Strider." Alasse smiled fondly. "His name is Strider. He was very brave, and so kind to me."

"That is good." Thranduil approved. His chest deflated in enormous relief. "I do not blame you for doing what you did. I would have done the same. But it was still very unwise."

"I understand. And I am so sorry, for the worry I caused you, Father!" Alasse gripped his arm and looked up at him pleadingly. "Please forgive me."

"There is nothing to forgive, mui meld." Thranduil said gently. "You helped save your brother. I cannot fault you for that, nor shall I ever!"

Elrond left after three days, once he was sure the Mirkwood healers could manage Legolas's care. He told Thranduil that Alasse's rage-filled rampage should be observed carefully, especially during times of hardship.

It had been a month since Legolas had been bitten, and already he was on his feet again! His arm had healed quickly, and in no time, he'd regained his strength. At the moment, he was out in the meadow with Alasse and some of the servants' elfing children, practicing their dagger combat. It felt so good to be up and about again, and outdoors! One of the little male elves aimed his blade close to Legolas's hip. "Ohh! Easy there, penneth." Legolas laughed, moving the blade away from his body. He glanced at Alasse who shrugged. "Very good. You have the makings of a good marksman."

"Thank you, Your Highness!" The child's eyes lit up.

"All right. I say we had back now for the midday meal." Legolas announced. The little ones excitedly ran on ahead. Alasse stepped beside her brother as they followed closely behind.

"That was close! He almost penetrated your side!" Alasse exclaimed.

"I know!" Legolas agreed.

"You will make a fine adar someday." Alasse sighed happily. Legolas cocked his head and smirked smugly.

"So..." he said slyly.

"What is it?" Alasse rolled her eyes.

"Elladan, is it?"

"Huh? What?!" Alasse looked at him, horrified.

"'Oh, not today, Elladan'." Legolas said dramatically.

"What are you talking about?" Alasse asked.

"Oh, don't play innocent with me, sister." Legolas narrowed his eyes. "You cannot deny to me what my keen ears heard! I was there!"

"Where?!" Alasse groaned.

"You were talking in your sleep. Oh, if only you could've seen that ridiculous smile on your face when you spoke his name on your lips..." Legolas teased her mercilessly.

"Cin're crazui (you're crazy)! I don't recall." Alasse glared at him.

"Denial will get you nowhere." He grinned devilishly.

"Gal- or-, will cin (grow up, will you)?!" Alasse sighed in exasperation. Legolas smiled naughtily.